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KLAASEN CUTS POWER ON ELECTRIC NIGHT AT ALLY PALLY

PHIL TAYLOR made a shock exit from the William Hill World Darts Championship after losing a dramatic tie-break against Jelle Klaasen, as Peter Wright and Alan Norris also progressed to the quarter-finals on evening of exceptional action at Alexandra Palace on Wednesday.

Legendary 16-time World Champion Taylor was knocked out of the tournament 24 hours after world number one Michael van Gerwen had suffered the same fate, as Klaasen produced a great escape in the final set. The 2006 Lakeside Champion stunned number three seed Taylor, who missed a match dart before Klaasen overturned a two-leg deficit in the seventh set by winning four legs in a row and sealing a sensational victory with a brilliant 11-darter.

"This feeling is special and I'm over the moon," said Klaasen, who hit 15 180s and averaged 102.5 as he reached the last eight at Ally Pally for the first time in six years. "I almost gave it away but I didn't give in and always thought I could win. Phil missed one match dart and I kept fighting and took my chance when it came. I know I can do even better than this and still have work to do so it is not time to celebrate yet, but I am very happy."

Taylor's hopes of lifting an unprecedented 17th World Championship trophy were dashed for at least another year and he is keen to see the back of 2015, which has left him in the unfamiliar position of not holding a single major ranking title. "I'm gutted because I had chances but I have to admit that he played better than me," said Taylor, who also averaged over 100 in the excellent encounter. "I've just got to leave this year behind now and look forward to next year, push on and see if I can put things right. I've got nothing but praise for Jelle. He can be a World Champion again."

Wright also came through a seven-set thriller as he defeated Dave Chisnall in a tie-break in another epic contest which saw both players miss darts for victory before the 2014 finalist sealed his spot in the last eight against Adrian Lewis. After a sharing six sublime sets, the pair continued to produce unbelievable quality in the decider, which saw Chisnall produce finishes of 143, 80, 78 and 130 and Wright take out 100, 68, 127 and 64 with the colourful world number four eventually prevailing 6-4.

"I'm feeling over the moon," said number four seed Wright following the incredible battle, in which both players averaged over 102. "I always find it hard to beat Chizzy. He is a fantastic player but I managed to do it. What a game of darts. I've got no idea how I held my nerve under pressure but if I could bottle it I would sell it. I'm ready for another great game against Adrian. It always is a good battle when we meet."

Norris continued to compile the script for a fairytale Ally Pally debut as he saw off Mark Webster in five sets to reach the last eight, hitting nine 180s in the process.

"It's not a bad couple of week's work," joked Norris, a former Lakeside Championship finalist who joined the PDC circuit last January by winning a Tour Card at Qualifying School. "Some of the press have written me off but I'm happy to have achieved what I have and I'm happy to keep being written off. I could go even further yet."

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